The research focused on the preparation of a low-cost activated carbon from palm fronds treated with phosphoric acid. This activated carbon was then used as an adsorbent to remove Trihalomethanes (THMs) from water, particularly targeting the undesirable contaminants generated during pre-chlorination in water treatment plants.
The study investigated various variables that could affect the efficiency of THM removal, including pH, residence time, adsorbent dose, temperature, and initial concentration. The results revealed that pH played a crucial role, with a decrease in removal percentage and adsorption capacity observed as the pH increased. This suggests that the acidity of the solution enhances the adsorption process.
Kinetic studies were conducted to understand the rate of adsorption, and it was found that the pseudo-second-order reaction model provided the best fit for describing the adsorption process. This model showed high correlation coefficient values (R2) exceeding 0.9979, indicating a strong agreement between the experimental data and the model.
Furthermore, thermodynamic analysis demonstrated a negative ΔG° value, indicating that the adsorption process was feasible and spontaneous. This suggests that the activated carbon derived from palm fronds effectively adsorbed THMs from the water.
Overall, the research concluded that the low-cost activated carbon prepared from palm fronds exhibited excellent efficiency as an adsorbent for Trihalomethane removal. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing agricultural waste materials for the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbents in water treatment applications.